FINALLY!!! It was a long and costly rebuild. Took it out for a test ride at last weekends National in Lucerne Valley. I havn't ridden in about 1 1/2 years and the bike sure did let me know it! I will need a lot more riding time before I feel like racing. Here is a list of upgrades I did.
You can view more pictures of my bike in the gallery section on page 4.
- Rewelded lots of weak areas of the frame. Just looking at the bare frame and you can see many areas that need extra welds.
- Powder coated frame a dark metalic gray. Almost went with current light gray but wanted something different.
- New subframe. Bought mine from True Torch Welding in Santa Ana. Made of steel and much better than aluminum. Came powder coated black. Really nice units.
- BRP upper and lower clamps.
- Scotts disk guard. In my opinion, the best made!
- BRP chain guide.
- BRP muffler stay.
- New black excel rims. I had gold but thought the black would look much better with the gold talon hubs.
- All new plastic.
- New bearings all around
- New airbox and intake
- Zip-ty racing radiator braces.
- New 04 graphics
Notes- Lost the chain guide on first ride. Seems I forgot to tighten it up all the way when I installed it. Never found it!
Bought a new one at the race. Don't buy Acerbis radiator shrouds for KX500s! Found out why they don't make it anymore. It sucks! Found some on clearence on the internet and they are a different shape than stock. You can't get graffics to fit them.
Got to see Team Green go 1-2-3 at the Lucerne National. Why get rid of the something that wins??? It's all about money I tell you! Kawasaki is gonna make out like bandits with all the people buying parts for these new trick 4 strokes!
Let me know if you have any questions about my bike and I'll be happy to explain any of it to ya.
